The Kentucky EMS Bill of Rights.

Eight things EMTs, Paramedics, flight crews and the Nurses who ride with them are asking of employers, boards and lawmakers. It is the short version of what we stand for. None of it needs a new law to adopt; an employer or a board can act on it tomorrow. Where a law would help, the three bills say which one.

1. 1Rested drivers. A fatigue policy that follows the national EMS guideline, and a rested partner behind the wheel.
2. 2Trucks that pass. KBEMS vehicle rules enforced, and every truck equipped to standard.
3. 3Scene safe, weather too. The authority to delay or refuse a non‑emergent transfer until it is safe.
4. 4Hours by choice. Holdovers, call‑ins and extra shifts are offered, not ordered. When someone has to be held, it is rotated fairly and paid a premium. On‑call is paid. Anyone who chooses extra work can take it, and is paid fairly for it.
5. 5Real breaks. An uninterrupted 30‑minute meal break, logged and paid if you work through it.
6. 6Protected wherever care is given. Felony‑assault protection that follows the provider, and a workplace‑violence plan that reaches the truck and the scene.
7. 7Speak up safely. Harassment and safety reports go to someone outside the chain of command. No retaliation, no transfers for reporting, and a trained Person of Confidence in your corner.
8. 8A seat at the table. Pay in the open, staffing numbers in the open, and a say through representatives you choose.

Where this page talks about hours, it means limits on what can be ordered, not on what anyone chooses to work.

Endorse it

Organizations can endorse the Kentucky EMS Bill of Rights: a department, an agency, a county or city, a union, a professional association, a family or patient group. Email info@kyems.org from an organizational address with the organization’s name and the name and title of the person authorizing it. We confirm by reply before listing anything, and we list organizations only — never individuals.

Endorsements

None yet. The first will appear here.

Print it

This page prints on a sheet or two. Post it where the crews, the Dispatchers or the Nurses will see it. Nothing on it says who posted it.